Air conditioner

ABSTRACT

An air cleaner having a plurality of spaced apart filters including an electronic filter, as well as other filters and a spray chamber disposed between some of said filters and having spray nozzles adapted to emit cool liquid in a flow path of air through said filters; and refrigeration means for cooling said liquid so as to cool said air to a degree at which a dew point condition exists such that liquid sprayed into the air will collect moisture from the air, thereby drying and also cooling it.

United States Patent Goettle [4 1 June 27, 1972 1541 AIR CONDITIONER[56] 1161mm: cm 72 Inventor: w11116111 11. M, 5661mm, Ariz. UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,490,979 12/1949 Palmer ..55/l28 X 2,628,083 2/1953Renae ....55/267 x 221 Filed: July 20, 1910 3,370,403 2/1968 DElia 61a]. .......................,.s5/|26 x [2]] Appl. No.: 56,531 PrimaryExaminer-Dennis E. Talbert, Jr.

Attorney-Drummond, Cahill & Phillips 52 us. 01, ..s5/1o6, 55/122,55/126, ABSTRACT 55/135, 55/222, 55/227, 55/228, 55/233, 55/259, 0 5 2 355/31 55 31 55 3 7 55 4 7 55,4 5 {\n air cleaner hPVlng a plurality ofspaced apart filters includ- 261/116 1ng an electronic filter, as wellas other filters and a spray 51 1111. c1. .3036 3/66 'P and 581 FieldolSearch ..s5/1o6 122 124 126 135 a 55,222 227 228 233 259 through saidfilters; and refrigeration means for cooling said 1, 1 liquid so as tocool said air to a degree at which a dew point condition exists suchthat liquid sprayed into the air will collect moisture from the air,thereby drying and also cooling it.

8 China, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUN 27 I872 SHEET I 0F 2 BaalINVENTOR.

WILLIAM H. GOETTL ATTORNEYS PATENTEmuxzv r972 3.672.126

swan 2 OF 2 AIR IN AIR OUT FIE- E Ii 15 5 INVENTOR WILLIAM H. GOETTLATTORNEYS AIR CONDITIONER Various air conditioners have been used forcleaning air and/or various gases. Various well-known filtering elementshave been used for cleaning air, however, the prior art has not beenspecifically devoted to complete air cleaning and air conditioningequipment all composed in a single compact unit for home use. Due topolluted air conditions in many areas, it has become important to cleanair for induction into residences and other areas in which human beingsare disposed.

It has been found necessary to utilize not only filtering means forremoving finite material, gases and other foreign matter from the air,but also to condition the air at the same time such that it is cooledand dried by means of a liquid washing process which also contributes toair cleaning and filtering.

The prior art has not embraced a compact air conditioner whichaccomplishes all of the foregoing purposes in a desirable manner andwithin an economic range suitable for use in the home or other numerousareas in which human beings are enclosed in buildings or the like.

In accordance with the present invention, a simple air conditionerhousing contains a plurality of air filters disposed successively in anair flow path through the housing and a blower is disposed in thehousing to force air to pass through the filters in said flow path. Aliquid spray chamber is disposed between some of the filters, and a sumpis disposed below the liquid spray chamber. Communicating with the sumpis a pump adapted to supply liquid to spray nozzle means in the spraychamber so as to completely spray air passing through the flow path ofthe housing. Refrigeration means is disposed in the sump below the spraychamber for cooling water or other liquid sprayed through the spraychamber nozzles in the spray chamber. The refrigeration means is capableof cooling the liquid in the sump sufficiently so that the spraying ofthe liquid into the air passing in the flow path of the housing, causesa dew point condition to exist and to thereby dry the air by collectingmoisture therefrom, while at the same time cooling the air.

The invention includes an electronic or electrostatic air filter as wellas an activated charcoal filter in combination with the spray chamberand the foregoing means for refrigerating spray to be issued fromnozzles in the chamber. The invention also includes a heating coil whichis disposed between the spray chamber of the invention and the airconditioner outlet for reheating air after passing through the spraychamber.

The various filters of the invention remove relatively coarse foreignmatter from the air as well as finite material down to .03 microns, orless, so that all of the elements of smog and air pollution may beremoved from air and it may be delivered to a building room in suitablecondition for breathing by humans. The invention is arranged efficientlyto condition air for that general human use and especially so in casesinvolving persons having respiratory problems. Emphysema patients areparticularly vulnerable to smog and may benefit greatly by use of theair conditioner of the invention. The various elements of the inventionincluding the filters, the spray chamber, the refrigeration coil, theblower and liquid pump which are all arranged in a very novel andcompact manner in a housing suitable for installation relative tovarious buildings as may be desired.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a veryefficient air cleaner and air conditioner for use in cleaning air forhuman breathing purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very compact airconditioner including electronic air filtering means as well asactivated charcoal and liquid washing facilities which cool and dry theair; and in addition, the invention includes other filters and heatingmeans for conditioning the air as desired together with means for movingthe air through a flow path in a compact air conditioner housing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel combination of airfiltering means with a spray chamber adapted to receive water and otherliquid from a refrigerated area so as to create a spray pattern ofliquid which is dense and wherein the liquid is sufiiciently cooled tocause a dew point condition relative to the air passing through thechamber so that the air may be cooled and moisture may be collectedtherefrom while at the same time the air is efficiently washed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from thefollowing specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

FIG. I is a vertical sectional view of an air conditioner in accordancewith the present invention showing by arrows at flow path for airthrough the air conditioner and showing by solid lines various parts andportions in elevation to amplify the illustration;

FIG. 2 is a top or plan view ofa modified form of the invention showinga housing with the cover thereof removed to expose details of theinvention therein; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the air conditioner of the inventionis provided with a housing 10 having an air flow inlet 12 and an airflow outlet 14. The housing 10 is provided with a cover 16 at the upperportion thereof and disposed in a lower portion of the housing 10 is aliquid sump 18. The housing 10 defines a flow path adapted to pass airas indicated by arrows "A and B at the inlet I2 and outlet 14respectively of the housing 10. Disposed in the How path through thehousing 10 and adjacent the housing inlet 12 is a prefilter 20 adaptedto receive and pass air therethrough. This prefilter 20 is particularlyutilized in accordance with the present invention to remove largeparticles of foreign matter from the air preliminary to the passage ofthe air into an electronic air filter 22 which is generally of theelectrostatic type. The filter 22 is disposed inward from the filter 20relative to the inlet l2 and is therefore disposed between the filter 20and the outlet 14. The filter 20 is a substantial porous filter and maybe of conventional polyurethane foam such as to remove coarse particlesfrom the air before the air passes through the electronic air filter 22which is adapted to collect finite particles from the air as forexample, particles down to or less than (I03 microns in size. This airfilter 22 will remove smoke, various virus, fumes, fog, mist, fungus,bacteria, pollen, and other foreign matter from the air which may bedamaging or irritating to the human respiratory system.

Disposed adjacent to the electronic air filter 22 is an activatedcharcoal filter 24. This filter 24 is adapted to remove ozones and odorsfrom the air as it moves through the flow path of the housing I0. Theactivated charcoal filter 24 is thus disposed between the electronic airfilter 22 and the outlet 14 of the housing 10.

A spray chamber outlet filter 26 is substantially spaced from theactivated charcoal filter 24 and between these filters 24 and 26 a spraychamber 28 is defined in the flow path of the housing 10. A liquidcontaining and delivery manifold 30 is provided with a plurality ofspray nozzles 32 adapted to spray water or other liquid into the spraychamber 28 and impinge upon the wash air as it passes through the flowpath of the invention from the activated charcoal filter 24 to the spraychamber outlet filter 26. The spray chamber outlet filter 26 is similarto the prefilter 20 in that it is a porous filter and may be made ofpolyurethane foam, or the like, or, the filters 20 and 26 may be of anysuitable porous air filtering material as desired for this purpose.

Communicating with the manifold 30 is a conduit 34 which receives waterthrough a fluid induction device 36 to which water is delivered by apump 38 having an inlet conduit 40 communicating with the interior ofthe sump l8. Disposed in the sump 18 adjacent an inlet end 42 of theconduit 40 is a liquid filter 44. This filter 44 is disposed to preventforeign matter from entering the inlet 42 of the conduit 40 and the pump38. The liquid filter 44 may also be any one of various liquid filtersadapted to remove certain material or elements from water or otherliquid in the sump I8 preliminary to the passage of the liquid throughthe pump 38 and into the spray nozzles 32 and spray chamber 28.

Disposed in the sump I8 is a refrigeration coil 46 adapted to operate asan evaporator for Freon or the like. This coil 46 may also be coupled toa heat pump so as to either cool the liquid in the sump 18 to asubstantial degree below ambient air temperature, or the coil 46 mayalso be used to heat the water in the sump 18 if the air conditioner ofthe invention is to be used as a humidifier.

When the water is cooled in the sump 18 by the coil 46, the water may beat such temperature as it issues from the nozzles 32 so that air iscaused to reach a dew point condition with respect to the spray and thusthe air is cooled and relieved of moisture. Thus the air is cooled anddried before passing into and through the spray chamber outlet filter26.

When the coil 46 is used to heat the water in the sump 18, the waterdelivered from the nozzles 32 may be at such tem perature as to causeevaporation into the air passing in the spray chamber 28 and in thismode of operation, humidification of the air may be accomplished.

The sump I8 is provided with an overflow tube 48 having an upper openend 50 disposed at the maximum predetermined water or liquid level inthe sump 18. Thus, when liquid spray is delivered from the nozzles 32 ata dew point condition and when liquid or water is thus collected fromthe air passing through the spray chamber 28, an increase of liquid inthe sump 18 may be dispensed with by means of the overflow tube 48 whichis coupled to the conduit 52 which may be disposed to carry the overflowwater to a suitable drain.

A float 54 in the sump 18 operates a float valve 56 disposed to maintainliquid in the sump at a predetermined level as indicated by a brokenline 58.

When the air conditioner is operated as a humidifier as hereinbeforedescribed, water from the sump 18 may be admitted into the air passingthrough the spray chamber 28 and thus the float valve 56 is opened whenthe float 54 drops and consequently this valve 56 tends to maintain thewater or liquid level at 58 as shown in FIG. I of the drawings. Coupledto the float valve 56 is a conduit 60 which may be coupled to anysuitable source of water under pressure so that a constant supply to thefloat valve 56 is provided. Thus, makeup water may automatically beadded to the sump 18 in case the supply of water in the sump 18 is usedduring a humidification operation of the air conditioner of theinvention.

Disposed between the spray chamber outlet filter 26 and the housingoutlet 14 is a heating coil 62. This heating coil 62 may be aconventional tubular finned coil adapted to receive hot fluids or thecoil 62 may be an electrical resistance heater if desired. The heatingcoil 62 is utilized to bring air temperature up to a suitable degree inrelatively cold ambient temperature conditions. This heating coil 62 isnot used when it is desired to cool the air as may be accomplished byrefrigerated liquid spray entering the spray chamber 28 and cooling theair as it passes through the flow path of air in the housing and in thespray chamber 28.

A centrifugal blower 64 is disposed adjacent the outlet 14 of thehousing I0. This blower 64 is provided with inlet eyes 66 and isprovided with an outlet 68 communicating directly with the housingoutlet 14 for delivering air therefrom in the direction of the arrows Bas shown best in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

In operation, the invention as shown in FIG. I, may be maintained byperiodic replacement or cleaning of the prefilter and cleaning of theelectronic air filter 22. The cover of the housing 10 may be removed forsuch operations as cleaning or replacing any one of the filters 20, 22,24, 26 or for servicing the various equipment in the housing includingthe heating coil 62, pump 38, float valve 56 and/or refrigeration coil46.

The electronic air filter 22 as shown in FIG. 1 is disposed between theinlet 12 of the housing and the spray chamber 28 so that substantiallyall of the particulate matter or foreign matter in the air is removedbefore the air enters the spray chamber 28 and thus maintaining a veryclean condition of the water in the sump 18. This water after beingsprayed from the nozzles 32, gravitates to the sump l8 and is againpumped through the pump 38 and back to the nozzles 32. The fluidinduction device 36 is provided with an inlet valve 70 communicatingwith a tube 72 which may conduct oxygen under pressure or any otherfluid which it is desired to add to the stream of water passing into theconduit 34 from the induction device 36. In this manner, oxygen may beadded to the air by releasing it from the spray nozzles 32 and into theflow path of air in the spray chamber 28. Other liquids or fluids may beinduced into the water passing through the conduit 34 and subsequenflyinto the air in the spray chamber 28 as will be hereinafter described.

The fluid induction device 36 may be an aspirator device or it may be adifferential pressure device relying upon higher fluid pressure in theconduit 72 than that in the outlet of the pump 38.

It will be understood that various fluids for conditioning the water inthe sump 18 may be induced through the fluid induction device 36 toprevent bacteria or other materials from growing in the water in thesump 18.

The spray chamber outlet filter 26 is adapted to stop water mist frompassing out of the spray chamber 28. Thus, the filter 26 causes liquidto drain back into the sump 18 after being sprayed into the spraychamber 28.

In operation, the air conditioner of the invention functions in a novelmanner with respect to the washing of air by liquid spray from thenozzles 32 while at the same time collecting all coarse fine particlesas well as various odors, ozones, and gases from the air all in the samehousing and utilizing the same air-moving blower. Furthermore, the airconditioner of the invention, by utilizing the spray chamber 28, mayfunction as an air cooling and drying device or may function as ahumidifier and heating device. The foregoing functions may beimplemented by the combination of the filters, refrigeration coil 46,spray nozzles 32, the spray chamber 28 and the heater 62 which isdisposed between the spray chamber and the housing outlet 14.

In the modification of the invention as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of thedrawings, the housing 10 is provided with an inlet I2 and an outlet 14similar to that shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, and all of the otherequipment is similar except that the arrangements of the filters and thespray chamber 28 are somewhat different. Communicating with the inlet 12of the housing 14 is a prefilter 20 similar to the prefilter 20 shown inFIG. I of the drawings. The spray chamber 28 is located immediatelyadjacent the prefilter 20 and a conduit 74 similar to the conduit 34delivers liquid under pressure to a manifold 76 having spray nozzles 78adapted to emit spray into the spray chamber 28 in the general directionof the air flow therein.

Disposed at the outlet end of the modified spray chamber 28 are threespray chamber outlet filters 80, 82 and 84 disposed respectively andsequentially in the direction of air flow through the flow path of theinvention from the inlet 12 to the outlet 14 of the chamber 10.

These spray chamber outlet filters 80, 82 and 84 are adapted to collectintermediate sized foreign matter which is not collected by theprefilter 20 and the spray chamber 28 is utilized to spray and wash airand also to cause the particles to be impinged upon by liquid spray andto collect on the spray chamber outlet filter 80.

A flood nozzle 86 is adapted to flood a surface 88 of the filteradjacent the spray chamber 28 and the flood nozzles 86 communicate witha conduit 90 which also communicates with the conduit 74 and an outlet92 of a pump 94 which is similar to the pump 38 shown in FIG. I of thedrawings.

An electronic air filter 22 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings, and is disposed between the spray chamber outlet filter 84 andthe outlet 14 of the housing I0 all as shown best in FIG. 3 of thedrawings.

The electronic air filter 22, as shown in FIG. 3, is disposed downstreamof the spray chamber and does not require cleaning as often as does theelectronic air filter shown in FIG. 1. The spray chamber outlet filters80, 82 and 84 receive most of the particulate matter which is washeddown by the nozzles 86 and thus the water in the sump l8 collects mostof the particulate matter which is removed from the air by means ofwashing in the spray chamber 28. The spray chamber 28 also functions ina manner as hereinbefore described in that the refrigeration coil 46 maybe used to cool or heat the water in the sump I8 and thus create eithera dew point condition in the chamber 28 or an evaporating conditioneither to remove moisture from the air or add moisture to the air. Itwill be understood that when the moisture is being removed ashereinbefore described, a dew point condition exists and the air is alsocooled.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, an activated charcoal filter 24similar to that shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, is disposed between theelectronic air filter 22 and the outlet 14 of the housing, and a heatingcoil 62, similar to the heating coil 62 shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings,is disposed between the activated charcoal filter 24 and the outlet 14of the housing.

It will be understood that, in accordance with certain en vironmentalconditions and installations, the invention may be arranged as shown inFIG. 1 of the drawings, or as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings,depending upon whether or not it is desired to wash the air in the spraychamber 28 after it has passed through the electronic air filter 22 orpreliminary thereto, respectively, and also depending upon the relativemaintenance factors in relation to the water in the sump 18 and thecleaning of the electronic or electrostatic air filter 22. Under someenvironmental conditions it will be obvious that the invention as shownin FIG. I may be preferable while in other environmental conditions theembodiment shown in the modification disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3 may bepreferable.

A blower 64 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is similar to that shown in FIG.1 of the drawings.

The heating coil 62 shown in FIG. I and in FIGS. 2 and 3 is generallydisposed downstream from the spray chamber outlet filters so as to avoidheating the air at the inlet area of the spray chamber 28. In thismanner, undue humidification is avoided and operation of the spraychamber 28 as hereinbefore described is permitted to provide for coolingand drying the air as well as cooling and humidification of the air. Itwill therefore be obvious that the disposition of the heating coil 62,in the air flow path downstream from the spray chamber 28, is importantand that this heating coil 62 must be located between the spray chamber28 and the outlet of the housing in order to function in cooperationwith the refrigeration coil 46 and the water cooled thereby, which wateris emitted through the spray nozzles in each of the spray chambers 28 ashereinbefore described.

I claim:

1. In an air cleaner the combination of: a housing having first meansdefining an air flow path therethrough; second means for forcing air toflow through said housing along said flow path; said housing having aninlet and an outlet communicating with said flow path; a liquid spraychamber in said first means; nozzle means in said chamber forimpingement spraying of air passing through said flow path; a sump belowsaid chamber for containing water; refrigeration means in said sump forcooling said water in said sump; pump means for pumping cool water fromsaid sump to said nozzle means; said spray chamber having an inlet andan outlet; a first air filter disposed and adapted to pass air at saidoutlet of said spray chamber; an electronic air filter in said flow pathof said first means; said electronic air filter adapted to remove fineparticles in the micronic range, from air passing through said flowpath; said refrigeration means adapted to cool said water to a degreewhereby spray of said cool water washes said air and causes a dew pointcondition relative to moisture in said air to thereby clean, dry andcool said air before it passes to said outlet of said housing.

2. The invention as defined in claim I wherein a precleaning filter isdisposed at said inlet of said chamber; said nozzle means disposed toreceive water from said pump and to emit spray in said chamber ad'acentsaid inlet side of said first filter; and a filter between sai sump andsaid pump for preventing material collected in said water from enteringsaid pump.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein an activated charcoalfilter in said air flow path is disposed and located between said firstfilter and said outlet of said housing.

4. The invention as defined in claim I wherein a heater is disposed forheating said air, said heater being located between said first filterand said outlet of said housing.

5. The invention as defined in claim I wherein an activated charcoalfilter is disposed in said flow path and a heater is disposed in saidflow path for heating air, said heater being located between said firstfilter and said outlet of said housing.

6. The invention as defined in claim I wherein a water makeup deliveryvalve is disposed to deliver water to said sump and a float operablyconnected to said valve to open and admit water to said sump when thewater level therein reaches a predetermined minimum level; and anoverflow means disposed to allow drainage of water from said sump whenthe level of water reaches a predetermined maximum.

7. In an air cleaner the combination of: a housing having first meansdefining an air flow path therethrough; second means for forcing air toflow through said housing along said flow path; said housing having aninlet and an outlet communicating with said flow path; a liquid spraychamber in said first means; nozzle means in said chamber forimpingement spraying of air passing through said flow path; a sump belowsaid chamber for containing water; refrigeration means in said sump forcooling said water therein; pump means for pumping cool water from saidsump to said nozzle means; said spray chamber having an inlet and anoutlet; first and second air filters disposed and adapted to pass air atsaid inlet and outlet respectively of said spray chamber; an electronicair filter in said flow path of said first means, said electronic airfilter located between said first air filter and said outlet of saidhousing; said refrigeration means adapted to cool said water to a degreewhereby spray of said cool water washes foreign matter from said air andcauses a dew point condition relative to moisture in said air to therebyclean, dry and cool said air before it passes through said electronicair filter and to said outlet of said housing.

8. The invention as defined in claim I wherein a precleaning filter isdisposed at said inlet of said housing; said electronic air filter beingdisposed between said precleaning filter and said spray chamber; aheating means disposed in said flow path between said first filter andsaid outlet of said housing for heating air after it has passed throughspray chamber; and an activated charcoal filter in said flow path ofsaid housing.

I i i i U

1. In an air cleaner the combination of: a housing having first meansdefining an air flow path therethrough; second means for forcing air toflow through said housing along said flow path; said housing having aninlet and an outlet communicating with said flow path; a liquid spraychamber in said first means; nozzle means in said chamber forimpingement spraying of air passing through said flow path; a sump belowsaid chamber for containing water; refrigeration means in said sump forcooling said water in said sump; pump means for pumping cool water fromsaid sump to said nozzle means; said spray chamber having an inlet andan outlet; a first air filter disposed and adapted to pass air at saidoutlet of said spray chamber; an electronic air filter in said flow pathof said first means; said electronic air filter adapted to remove fineparticles in the micronic range, from air passing through said flowpath; said refrigeration means adapted to cool said water to a degreewhereby spray of said cool water washes said air and causes a dew pointcondition relative to moisture in said air to thereby clean, dry andcool said air before it passes to said outlet of said housing.
 2. Theinvention as defined in claim 1 wherein a precleaning filter is disposedat said inlet of said chamber; said nozzle means disposed to receivewater from said pump and to emit spray in said chamber adjacent saidinlet side of said first filter; and a filter between said sump and saidpump for preventing material collected in said water from entering saidpump.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein an activatedcharcoal filter in said air flow path is disposed and located betweensaid first filter and said outlet of said housing.
 4. The invention asdefined in claim 1 wherein a heater is disposed for heating said air,said heater being located between said first filter and said outlet ofsaid housing.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein anactivated charcoal filter is disposed in said flow path and a heater isdisposed in said flow path for heating air, said heater being locatedbetween said first filter and said outlet of said housing.
 6. Theinvention as defined in claim 1 wherein a water makeup delivery valve isdisposed to deliver water to said sump and a float operably connected tosaid valve to open and admit water to said sump when the water leveltherein reaches a predetermined minimum level; and an overflow meansdisposed to allow drainage of water from said sump when the level ofwater reaches a predetermined maximum.
 7. In an air cleaner thecombination of: a housing having first means defining an air flow paththerethrough; second means for forcing air to flow through said housingalong said flow path; said housing having an inlet and an outletcommunicating with said flow path; a liquid spray chamber in said firstmeans; nozzle means in said chamber for impingement spraying of airpassing through said flow path; a sump below said chamber for containingwater; refrigeration means in said sump for cooling said water therein;pump means for pumping cool water from said sump to said nozzle means;said spray chamber having an inlet and an outlet; first and second airfilters disposed and adapted to pass air at said inlet and outletrespectively of said spray chamber; an electronic air filter in saidflow path of said first means, said electronic air filter locatedbetween said first air filter and said outlet of said housing; saidrefrigeration means adapted to cool said water to a degree whereby sprayof said cool water washes foreign matter from said air and causes a dewpoint condition relative to moisture in said air to thereby clean, dryand cool said air before it passes through said electronic air filterand to said outlet of said housing.
 8. The invention as defined in claim1 wherein a precleaning filter is disposed at said inlet of saidhousing; said electronic air filter being disposed between saidprecleaning filter and said spray chamber; a heating means disposed insaid flow path between said first filter and said outlet of said housingfor heating air after it has passed through spray chamber; and anactivated charcoal filter in said flow path of said housing.